By Amadi Chimaobi Kingsley
KATANGARI Goes to Town is the first Nollywood film of 2025 to be released on Prime Video, beginning its streaming run on January 4. The movie was directed by Nigerian filmmaker, Reuben Reng, whose 2023 film Love and Life was the second feature produced under the First Feature Project. Emil Garuba and Paul S. Rowlston brought the production to life with a well-crafted and engaging screenplay. The series has undeniably introduced fresh perspectives and whodunit and what I call “ambitious” narratives to Nollywood. Yet, as the project has evolved, so too has its penchant for tackling bigger stories than its premise allows with increasingly uneven execution. Katangari Goes to Town, the latest entry in the series, unfortunately continues this trend. It’s a challenging watch from start to finish.The cast is an interesting ensemble of Nollywood veterans – Segun Arinze, Munachi Abii, Iretiola Doyle, Sani Mu’azu, and Edward Fom – and budding actors – Patience Ujah, Gbubemi Ejeye, Bethel Njoku a.k.a. Senator, Abdulfatai Otori, Shehu Zock Sock, and Victor Panwal.The film introduces us to Katangari (Segun Arinze), a reclusive, retired police officer with a prickly personality.Through a series of opening events, we’re thrust into Katangari’s world and learn of his reputation for being difficult. We see this in the way he disperses local militia and learn that despite his aversion to community engagement, he has been appointed head of the local vigilante group. These early moments are meant to establish the film’s setting and Katangari’s larger-than-life persona. However, the clunky dialogue and stilted performances make these scenes almost unbearable, setting a grim tone for what’s to come.His tranquil existence is abruptly disrupted when he is summoned to the city to probe the enigmatic demise of Bello, his affluent cousin.As he races against time to unveil the killer before reading Bello’s will, Katangari finds himself entangled in a labyrinth of clandestine deceit and treachery while maintaining a thread of humor that keeps the audience engaged.With his quick wit, an old rifle he calls Django, and a battered Volkswagen Beetle nicknamed Shagari, Katangari arrives at Bello’s lavish home to meet an eclectic group of suspects. present at the reading are the chief’s wife, Sofia (Munachi Abii); ex-wife, Ulan (Iretiola Doyle); son, Wash (Victor Panwal); daughter, Chatong (Gbubemi Ejeye); business partner and chief financial officer of his company, Audu (Sani Mu’azu); and his “personal prayer warrior,” Pastor Dominion (Bethel Njoku, a.k.a. Senator)—one of whom, the chief reveals in the video, had been plotting his demise. Chief Gyang instructs that his will must not be read until Katangari has uncovered his killer. He grants Katangari authority over his household, who in turn orders all the individuals to remain within the premises of the chief’s mansion until the case is solved.One of the most commendable aspects of Katangari Goes to Town is its relatability, stemming from its spot-on portrayals. While the Whodunit genre has Western origins and is not a territory Nollywood visits often. Rooted in intricate storytelling and sharp character development, it requires a delicate balance of suspense and revelation—a challenging feat in an industry more accustomed to melodrama or action-packed narratives,and the film itself is reminiscent of Hollywood’s Knives Out and Chief daddy.Inspired by Agatha Christie classics like ‘Murder on the Orient Express’ and ‘Death on the Nile,’ the film’s director and producer, Steve Gukas, sought to craft a narrative that would resonate with both local and global audiences. “The key is building a believable world,” Reng emphasised. “Even if the genre isn’t traditionally Nigerian, the themes of family, betrayal, and ambition are universal.”However, the Nigerian cultural identity is prominently showcased in this movie. This is overtly displayed through the portrayal of rural life and the use of the Northern Nigerian language and subtly established through elements reflecting Nigerian philosophies. Examples include the chief—a wealthy man—having a pastor under his influence, his ex-wife, Ulan, being accused of using witchcraft to kill him as an act of revenge, and Katangari holding traditional authority over the chief’s household as the eldest family member after the chief’s demise. Katangari Goes to Town satisfies the requirements of the standard whodunit, making the audience suspicious of each character by providing them with plausible motives. This film fails to deliver an intense intricate plotting, compelling characters, and sharp tension. Instead, it offers a dull, lifeless narrative that struggles to hold interest. Even compared to recent Nollywood efforts in the mystery genre—like A Weekend to Forget or the ludicrously entertaining Hotel Labamba—Katangari Goes to Town fails to measure up. It neither carves out a unique voice nor characters to deliver a memorable story.As the story delves deeper into the characters’ lives, the plot thickens, keeping viewers half glued to their screens and ofcos the viewers can guess who the real killer is—especially as every known suspect appears to be innocent. Essential elements of the whodunit genre, such as clever misdirections and flashbacks, are glaringly absent when they’re needed most. Instead, these techniques are reserved for a lackluster third act weighed down by flooding of exposition and new information. Budget constraints may explain the lack of flashbacks, but their omission—and the absence of smart twists—leaves the narrative flat and painfully predictable.Although the roles may not seem particularly demanding from a viewer’s perspective, the actors delivered entertaining and engaging performances, embodying their characters with precision. Segun Arinze excelled in his role, portraying a no-nonsense, clever, and meticulous Katangari with finesse.Katangari Goes to Town can also be appreciated and applauded for its skillful incorporation of comic relief, despite the seriousness of the genre, through the character of Pastor Dominion, played by the comedian Senator. His facial expressions and mannerisms signal to the audience that they are in for a thrilling investigation laced with a measured yet impactful dose of humor.This movie isn’t just about solving a mystery, it’s a poignant exploration of justice, family loyalty, and betrayal. It delves into the complexities that arise when family bonds start to unravel and the lengths one would go to uncover the truth, even if it means causing pain to those they love. It’s a powerful reflection of the constant struggle between right and wrong, especially when family is at the heart of the matter.Brilliant, as the production is, though, Katangari Goes to Town is not without its flaws. With respect to how much Nollywood has improved in makeup and costume over the years, Katangari’s white hair and beard look far too artificial and almost appear clumsy. Were it not for Segun Arinze’s stellar performance, the character might have been bungled. Katangari Goes to Town also contains a sizable plot hole. In his video, Chief Gyang reveals that he had previously hired a detective out of suspicion to identify who was trying to kill him, only for the detective to end up dead. However, the story’s resolution fails to address who killed the detective and their motive. Of course, it would be reasonable to assume that the chief’s killer was responsible for that death, but a clear answer would have given the story a stronger sense of completion. The production also briefly suffers from poor sound and contains a few errors that might be inconsequential to the grand plot yet indicate inadequate attention to detail.Director Reuben Reng shoulders much of the blame for these shortcomings. While even the most lackluster script can sometimes yield standout performances, there’s none of that here. The absence of subtlety in the direction exacerbates the film’s flaws, telegraphing its twists and robbing the story of suspense. The killer’s identity is obvious well before the film’s climax. The movie wants you to know who did it and spares no coin in pretending otherwise. And while the killer’s motive is eventually revealed, it feels neither compelling nor earned. The anticlimactic plot twist further underscores the film’s inability to execute its lofty ambitions.Katangari Goes to Town is a commendable attempt at crafting a murder mystery within a Nigerian context and successfully meets the standards of the genre. Its compelling story and direction are strong enough to make the audience overlook its already somewhat pardonable flaws.
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